Australian science people and a bunch of teachers have discovered three new spider species in a remote alpine region. Given Australia has so many spiders, and indeed other deadly creatures, it is a wonder they look for more. One of the new spiders discovered is a 'jumping spider' that 'looks like a "liquorice-all-sort" and is a "ferocious hunter" that camouflages as a tree branch'. In typical Australian style, another looks like an eight eyed puppy. No, really.
Twenty scientists and teachers have travelled to the region near the border between Victoria and New South Wales on a 11-day 'Alpine Bush Blitz' to catalogue species and broadcast the expedition into Australian classrooms.
Three previously undescribed spider species were found by Museums Victoria Research Institute arachnologist Joseph Schubert who said he hoped to find more before the Blitz concludes.
[...] "Discovering and documenting undescribed species is crucial for their conservation and may prevent invisible species from becoming extinct.
"If a species is not known, it cannot be adequately protected."
A quote by an Australian minister in response to this find was that "Around three-quarters of Australia's biodiversity is still waiting to be discovered by science" which just makes Australia just that much more a joyful place to live (for the fauna).
Remind me, how exactly do Australians get through life without being eaten alive, poisoned, trapped or just killed by the wildlife?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Frosty Piss on Monday February 20, @11:22AM (1 child)
Not all spiders are "deadly".
(Score: 3, Touché) by coolgopher on Monday February 20, @11:28AM
Well, that really depends on what species you are.
(Score: 4, Funny) by coolgopher on Monday February 20, @11:50AM
Oh you know, we get along [youtube.com] with the wildlife [youtube.com].
(Score: 3, Insightful) by negrace on Monday February 20, @11:56AM (3 children)
Scientists Discover Three More Reasons NOT To Visit Australia.
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Monday February 20, @11:59AM
But look at all those puppy eyes [api.news]! How can you say no?!
(Score: 2) by corey on Monday February 20, @10:25PM (1 child)
The general rule is if it’s the size of your little finger or smaller then it’s harmless. Most spiders here are in that category.
I live up in the mountains north of Melbourne. There are not many snakes here, I’ve yet to see one on my property. Probably because it’s quite cool/cold. (Not by American standards though). We have kangaroos though, every day around our house. My wife is often sending me out first to scare them away from around the washing line before she goes and hangs out the clothes. The males are not that scared and kangaroos will tear you to shreds if they want. It’s nice to have them around though.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 21, @11:25AM
Nah. Frigging redbacks are can be smaller than that, and those fuckers hurt.
(Score: 1) by Deep Blue on Monday February 20, @02:24PM (2 children)
Sorry, that shit's so sploosh!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 20, @05:57PM (1 child)
Watch much VLDL?
(Score: 1) by Deep Blue on Tuesday February 21, @10:28AM
Too much i guess.